College officials blame the drinks for contributing to "problematic behavior," such as alcohol abuse and "high-risk sexual activity," and say they don't contribute to the dining service's mission to "nourish" its students.

A prominent flyer in the college's Wilson Cafe states: "Energy drink consumption facilitates unhealthy work habits such as prolonged periods of sleeplessness, contributing to a campus culture of stress and unsustainable study habits."

...Arnav Adhikari, a 22-year-old senior from India who works at the cafe, said he used to sell "loads" of the drinks, and the college is over-reaching its role.

"There are more important things for them to address," he told NBC News. "And what do energy drinks have to do with sexual activity?"

Comments

A prominent flyer in the college's Wilson Cafe states: "Energy drink consumption facilitates unhealthy work habits such as prolonged periods of sleeplessness, contributing to a campus culture of stress and unsustainable study habits."

Excuse me? That's what happens on college, at least when I went. When major work assignments from different courses all came at once, that's what we did. We went without sleep for a night and got it done.

And I loved doing what I did so much, I didn't mind having to pull the occasional all-nighter to get my work done.

We didn't have energy drinks back then, but we had Mountain Dew and No Doz.

Patrick
at February 27, 2016 12:55 AM

The college should have single sex open bay dorms, lights out at 10PM, and bed checks throughout the night. That will help ensure that the children attending there are getting enough sleep. The progressive people's government of China used such methods with factory workers, along with mandatory assemblies, and public self-criticism and corporal punishment. Those who want to Feel the Bern should want to start experiencing the wonders of living in a socialist society as soon as possible. Why await the revolution?

Wfjag
at February 27, 2016 4:15 AM

Wait until they start demanding that the male students be drugged.

Cousin Dave
at February 27, 2016 5:17 AM

We need to insist that SJWs define their terms in order that we "can understand and identify (Bob's new Word)" with their position.

Please define "high-risk sexual activity". I'm sure it does not mean that a WOMAN can not go out w/da boys and trade them drink for drink until one or both "blackout".

After all, we don't want to slut shame or blame the "victim" (either sex).

Bob in Texas
at February 27, 2016 5:53 AM

Because at Middlebury, the grocery and convenience stores are SOOOO far away from campus (not), and the lack of alcohol sales by the college's dining service results in a dry, sober campus (not). And it's soooo difficult to get caffeine in other forms - see above reference to Mountain Dew, etc. and, oh yeah - coffee, maybe?

Mike
at February 27, 2016 6:08 AM

Wfjag, I love your suggestion for consistency.

Caffeine pills are amazing for mental stamina. I take tablets and cut them in half (so I take four 100 milligram doses spaced throughout the day). When I was at the big social psych conference, SPSP, there was too long a line at Starbucks before session, so I just popped a whole 200 mg. caffeine pill.

I also try to get as much work done early in the day, and I nap and do other things to increase (and reboot) my mental energy. These area ideas from science on productivity, and I'm putting more of them (for willpower) in my next book, which I'm writing now.

I wonder how they'd react to an IndieGoGo I'm in on, for a bracelet with a patch that releases caffeine and B-vitamins over a 4-hour period.

I'm thinking "wrist checks" at Middlebury. . . (grin)

Keith Glass
at February 27, 2016 7:23 AM

Back when I was in college in the 80s, I don't remember the dining halls stocking anything terribly caffeinated besides coffee. I think we got milk, water, and maybe two colors of Kool-Aid. The student union had nothing more potent than Mello Yello. I do remember dating a girl who kept me supplied with Jolt Cola, so I don't suppose I really missed out that much.

"High risk sexual activity?" Maybe Middlebury just wants its kids too tired to do much of anything come Friday night.